Alumni NewsOldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conceptionbuilding our legacy one student at a time!

SUMMER 2013

Wherever you go,GO

with all yourHEART

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Welcome to the OA Family, Diane Laake!I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve the Oldenburg Academy community in the capacity as President.I believe that my experiences as a successful Catholic secondary school teacher and administrator, a proud alumna of Our Lady of Angels High School (‘75), and my lifelong commitment to the Francis-can charism through my non-profit volunteer work are perfect cornerstones to this role.My personal spirituality and faith foundation has always been rooted in the Franciscan tradition. I

was inspired at an early age by Francis’ message of social responsibility, care for creation, and authentic Gospel living. I have dedicated my life to these guiding principles and have been honored to most deeply express them through the educa-tion and empowerment of our youth. I understand the challenges facing Catholic education and am confident that with God’s grace and the enthusiastic efforts of many others, I can lead Oldenburg Academy in the implementation of her strategic plans, maintain her essential mission and vision, but boldly position her for continued success and growth.Oldenburg Academy is an extraordinary institution. I was immediately impressed with the commitment to excellence, the genuine sense of hospitality and care, and an unparalleled dedication to service exhibited by the faculty, staff, students and their parents. She is built on a solid foundation of faith and tradition -- poised for an even greater future. We are going to be an awesome team!I look forward to meeting many of you over the next year. Please feel free to stop by if you are on campus or send me an email and let me know what you are excited about for the future of OA and how we can work together to make this happen.Peace and all good.

Diane H. Laake

It is with mixed emotion that I bring to closure my twelve years of serving as President of Oldenburg Academy. As I prepare to leave, I carry with me rich memories and my life has been forever enriched because of my experiences here and the many people who have touched my life. Some of my richest memories are those of our Alumni. I cherish the notes and updates of how you go forth to live the OA mission in post secondary education and then in your professional careers and personal lives. Thanks for keeping the OA legacy vibrant through your gift of time, talent and trea-sure! You truly are the life-blood to our future!

Our Alumni are who they are today because of our dedicated faculty and staff. Here at the Academy you will hear our stu-dents say, “No one gets lost. They help you be the best you can be.” My thanks to the faculty and staff for their dedication to academic excellence and commitment to life-long learning! My heartfelt gratitude to the Oldenburg Academy Board of Trust-ees for providing endless support and leadership throughout these years. May they be blessed abundantly as they continue to envision and lead the school for many years to come.To OA Alumni parents, my thanks for your investment in a Catholic Franciscan Secondary education here at OA! I know many of you sacrificed deeply to provide a value-based education for your daughter(s) and son(s). My endless thanks to the Oldenburg Academy Alumni Association Board and Alumni benefactors and volunteers who through their generous gifts have helped support our academic and co-curricular programs. Wherever we all may journey in life, it is my hope that the OA spirit is vibrantly spread to create a better world. I ask our loving God to bless each of you abundantly for being a part of our OA family these twelve years!

Sr. Therese Gillman, OSF ‘69

Thank you for 12 years of service, Sr. Therese Gillman!

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ROW 1 (L-R): Miranda Kessens, Alicia Quiroz, *Kathryn Chaffee, Miranda Fitzgerald, Elise Comer, *Rachel Gramman, *May Hetzer, *Samantha Horan, Chelsea Mayborg, *Hannah Hanauer, Kevin Miller, Brent Bohman, *Jialou Shi, Corey Bowling, ROW 2: *Elizabeth Loch, Nora Stacy, Mary Kahles, Kayleigh Rinck, Zach Gorman, Cory Richter, Andrew Knueven, ROW 3: *Courtney Unkrich, Alena Schuckmann, *Laurel Kelnhofer, *Sarah Siemer, *Josh Smith, *Austin Alley, John Batterton, ROW 4: Rebecca Hettesheimer, *Morgan Werner, Chelsi Eckstein, *Lauren Kirschner, *Carly Hertel, Max Moorman, Patrick Wunderlich, Angelo Lipps, ROW 5: *Emily Ulrich,

*Bryn Smith, Alexa Fangman, Sara Abrams, *Sarah Gutman, Alexander Lierman, Joshua Knapp, ROW 6: *Natalie Pottschmidt, Sarah Cornett, *Theresa Brunsman, *Natasha Hockaden, *Gretchen Wilder, William Geis, Johnathan Baltz, ROW 7: Claire McKamey, *Anna Hagedorn, *Samantha Jarman, *Rui Cao, *Alec Back, Austin Hornberger, Jon Drew, ROW 8: *Alex Johnson, Brody Witt, *Keith Miller,

*Bryan Kline, Josh Stenger, Luke Wilger, ROW 9: Scott Stenger, *Christopher Hockaden, *Quincy Shenk, Peter Lamping, Corey Reyn-olds, Jacob Moorman

*denotes National Honor Society Members

Sarah GutmanSalutatorian

Laurel KelnhoferCo-Valedictorian

Natalie PottschmidtCo-Valedictorian

The 69 graduates in the Class of 2013 collectively

earned over $5.5 million in scholarships and received 219 offers of acceptance

from 85 college/universities in 18 states! Of those 69,

46 seniors earned Indiana Academic Honors

Diplomas.

Best of luck to our graduating future service men, Andrew Knueven (U.S. Army Reserve) and Kevin Miller (U.S. Navy)! We are so proud!

Congratulations Class of 2013!

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I’d like to take a moment of your time to talk about a $5.00 bill. True, it won’t buy much today, but we are still interested. Multi- ply that $5.00 by our over 3600 alumni and you have $18,000 - not small at all. I have been asked, “What do I get for paying my $5

dues?” Your dues helps the Alumni Association defray the cost of the printing and mailing of the annual newsletters and homecom-ing invitations along with hosting our annual Homecoming and Distinguished Alumni Event. Currently, the OAAA is finding itself in a financial position of whether we can continue to publish two newsletters and the Homecoming mailings. We are asking for your $5.00 dues to help the Alumni Association continue it’s ongoing communication with you!In addition to keeping in touch with you, the OAAA is committed to growing its endowment fund to ensure that the

OAAA Scholarship Fund will be given in perpetuity. That can only happen if our alumni embrace the opportunities to financially support the Alumni Association. How can you financially support the OAAA? Please support us through memorials, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or other times through-out the year with a donation to the OAAA and/or the OA Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. You can also support us through our fundraising activities, by attending Homecoming, and by purchasing the annual Alumni Challenge raffle tickets. All donations are needed - and appreciated - however small or large. We depend on gifts from individuals: from you, our Alumni. With this said, all your gifts, be it time, talent or treasure are greatly appreciated.This past year the OAAA was remembered with a bequest from the Estate of Amelia Tophinke Yelinek ’53 to the OAAA Scholarship Fund and is a loving memorial to Amelia. We are truly grate-ful for this gift and prayerfully remember Amelia.On Monday, June 10th, Sarah Lamping, Liz Stenger, Barb Hirt, Ruth Mayo and I, along with members of the Bates-ville Alumni Chapter, the Immaculata Club, attended the annual summer din-ner of the Cincinnati Alumni Chapter, Cincinnati Oldenburg Club, at Mercy Hospital. Under the leadership of Irma Klett Sand, ‘51 and Donna Scheper Meyer ’62, the Cincinnati Club held a dessert auction to raise funds for the Retired Sisters Christmas Party which they host each year. At the end of a delightful evening, this chapter presented the OA Alumni Association with a $500 donation to the OAAA Scholarship Fund (pictured right). This gift was unexpected, but truly appreciated. Thank you so much to the Cincinnati Oldenburg Club for your support.On May 17, 2013 at the Awards Ceremony I had the privilege of presenting the second $1,000 OA Alumni Association Scholarship to Elizabeth Siemer, class of 2014. Congratulations, Liz! After the awards ceremony, the Senior Reception and Induction Ceremony were held. Our membership grew with the induction of the 69 graduates from the Class of 2013. As their days at OA came to an end, I hope the experiences they gained will be extremely beneficial as they continue their journey, moving onto the next stage of their lives and the adventures that come with it. I ask that they not forget their time here at OA and I wish all of them the best of

Letter from the OAAA President

Pam Decker Vonderhaar ‘64 presents Elizabeth Siemer ‘14 with the OA Alumni Association Scholarship on the Academy’s Awards Day.

Cincinnati Oldenburg Club presents donation to the OAAA Scholarship Fund

OAAA Board Members (L-R): Treasurer, Jane Bedel Walke ‘76, Secretary, Bertie Hartman Schmidt ‘64, Vice President, Liz Hartman Stenger ‘71, President, Pam Decker Vonder-haar ‘64, Trustee, Ruth Leurck Mayo ‘67, Trustee, Barb Hirt ‘51, and Trustee, Linda Nobbe Siefert ‘61

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luck in the future as they continue to strive to be the best in their chosen fields. They are the newest members of the OA legacy. An elite group known as the OA Alumni Association. This legacy spans over 160 years and we have seen many changes…we have taken the former ICA and “twisted” it into Oldenburg Academy of today, while maintaining the rich Franciscan tradition of educating young women and men. We are all known as OA Alumni and very proud of it. So from the words of Dr. Suess to the Class of 2013;

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places. You’re off and away… So… Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, your off to Great Places! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”

The Alumni Association… building our legacy... one student at a time! Take the opportunity to do your part. Give us FIVE!

Pam Decker Vonderhaar, ’64, OA Alumni Association President

ROW 1 (L-R): Claire McKamey with mother Joan Eckstein McKa-mey ’83, Corey Bowling with mother Tara Gabbard Bowling ’90, Susan Kirschner Unkrich ’81 with daughter Courtney Unkrich and grandmother Ellen Hartman Kirschner ‘56, Morgan Werner with mother Nancy Laker Wer-ner ’83, ROW 2: Jackie Wenning Fitzgerald ‘80 with daughter Mi-randa Fitzgerald, Gretchen Wilder with mother Rita Strange Wilder ’83, Jacob Moorman with mother Jill Ortman Moorman ‘78, Lau-ren Kirschner with mother Janet Grieshop Kirschner ‘78, ROW 3: Joshua Stenger with mother Marcia Hartman Parcell ‘87 and grandmother Mary Ann Werner Hartman ‘57, Theresa Brunsman with mother Diane Ryker Brunsman ‘71, Max Moorman with mother Brenda Wenning Moorman ‘78, Bryn Smith with mother Kim Mollaun Smith ‘77

Not pictured: Austin Hornberger and mother Josie Billman Hornberger ’87 and Alicia Quiroz with mother Diane Billman Quiroz ‘86

All in the Family: Senior Alumni with Alumni Legacy

The Alumni Association would like to give a “Shout Out” to staff members Ray Ronnebaum and Tim Maple. Ray and Tim are a big part of the Alumni functions as they come before to set up and make sure everything is just right, and come after to tear down and clean up after us. Their hard work and dedication doesn’t go unnoticed… thanks for a job well done…it is very much appreciated.

Distinguished Alumni EventNominations are being accepted for Oldenburg Academy’s Annual Distin-guished Alumni Award! Nomination deadline: July 15, 2013. For more infor-mation, award criteria, and nomination form, go to www.oldenburgacademy.org and click on Alumni or contact Sarah Lamping at 812.934.4440 ext.240. This year’s event will take place on Friday October 11, 2013

Alumni Homecoming CelebrationJoin us for the Alumni Homecoming on October 12, 2013!! Anniversary classes have already started planning so make sure you get in on the fun! Remember this is an election year so please let us know if you are interested in running for a position on the OAAA Board. If you are interested in a position but not able to run at this time, consider shadowing a current board member. Contact Ruth Luerck Mayo, Linda Nobbe Siefert or Barb Hirt to discuss.

VHE TributeWe are pleased to announce that the 2013 Homecoming Honoree of the Virtue, Honor, Education Award is the late Sr. Mary Ammann, OSF, Honorary Alumni. Sr. Mary Ammann taught physical education and was a coach at OA from 1969-1998. She became OA’s first athletic director and joined the Indiana High School Athletic Association, which allowed competitive play against other schools. In memory of Sr. Mary Ammann, we invite you to join us at HC 2013 to celebrate this honor. Donations on her behalf can be made to the OA Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. More information will be available in the Homecoming Registration that will be mailed to you in September.

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“Once a Twister Sister, Always a Twister Sister”Dan Kerker, head coach for the girl’s basketball team at Oldenburg Academy would like to invite you to play in the Lady Twister Alumni basketball game on July 20, 2013 at 1:30 pm. It will be a great opportunity to talk and visit with your former team mates and classmates. If you don’t feel like you can play we certainly would like to recognize you and have you on hand as a spectator cheering on your fel-low “Twister Sisters” as they re-live their glory years. It is Oldenburg’s Frudenfest weekend and would be a great oppor-tunity to continue your conversations and visits after the game while enjoying the day’s festivities here in town.So remember, player or spectator we would love for you to attend. We will have concessions open during the game with drinks, hamburgers, hotdogs, and chips. All proceeds will benefit our athletes here at OA and our current Lady Twister Basketball team. So put it on your calendar, dust and lace them old glory tennis shoes up for some action! Please RSVP to Dan if you plan to attend at dkerk68@gmail.com or text (812) 212-1601. Please state year graduated, position played and the number you wore if you can still remember. We look forward to seeing you at the game. GO Twisters!

Girls Alumni Basketball Game

2013 Homecoming Weekend

Honorary Alumni, Sr. Mary Ammann, OSF

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Start spreading the word! The 3rd Annual Alumni Baseball Game will be held again this year in early August at Liberty Park in Batesville, IN. Letters will be sent so out soon so be on the look out! Last year we had 16 alumni play and hope for a larger turn out this year. The teams will once again be coached by Doug Behlmer. Proceeds from the event will be used for OA baseball equipment needs. It’s a great day for the guys and loyal fans to reconnect and enjoy a fun game of baseball. For more information, or to get on the mailing list please contact Jean Stacy at tjtns@etczone.com or Coach Behlmer at doug.behlmer@hill-rom.com We look forward to seeing you on the field!

July 5, 2013Deadline for Distinguished Alumni nomination

July 20, 2013Lady Twister Alumni Basketball Game (1:30 pm)

Aug. 8, 2013Batesville Alumni Chapter Im-maculata Club Mtg – Summer Picnic

October 11, 2013 Distinguished Alumni Event

October 12, 2013Alumni Homecoming

December 1, 2013Retired Sisters Christmas Party

February 22, 2014Oldenburg Academy’s Reverse Raffle

April 19, 2014Alumni Easter Egg Hunt

April 26, 2014Holly Bruns 5K Memorial Walk/Run

Calendar of Upcoming

Events

The 2nd Annual Boys Alumni Basketball Game will be held again in December at Oldenburg Academy. Please contact Mark Zinser at 812-584-0687 or email mfzinser2015@spartans.manchester.edu if you plan to join us over Christmas break!

Boys Alumni Basketball Game

Alumni Baseball Game

Originally published on March 29, 2013 courtesy of the Herald Tribune, Batesville. Written by Diane Raver ‘86. Used with permission. John Rohrig, a 2009 Oldenburg Academy graduate, recently had the chance of a life time when he attended a training course with Cesar Millan, known for his “Dog Whisperer” TV show. “My wife Amanda, my dog and I drove from Bloomington all the way to Santa Clarita, Calif. The trip was over 4,000 miles (round trip), and it took about two days to reach California.” The former Milan resident works part time at a doggie daycare and owns The Pack Leader LLC. “I go to clients’ homes and train and educate both the owners and their dogs. I have had clients throughout Indiana, including Anderson, and inquiries from places farther out, like Pennsylvania. I also offer other services, such as dog walking.” People from the area may also remember the singer as the winner of OA’s talent show, “Batesville’s Got Talent” and Canoefest Idol in Brookville. He found out about the course on Millan’s Web site trainingcesarsway.com. “I am con-

stantly studying what Cesar Millan and other trainers like Dr. Ian Dunbar do .... We had to apply and tell a little bit about ourselves and our dogs.

“There were roughly only about 25 people with their dogs and 20 people without that attended the course. There were people from around the world, like Spain, Brazil, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Norway, Puerto Rico, Austria and even Japan. There were only 20 picked from the U.S.” Millan was assisted by trainers Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew.“We started each day with at least a two-mile pack walk .... when one person would walk eight dogs at a time. We would switch people out so everyone got a chance walking the pack.”The purpose of this was “so the unbalanced dogs could learn from the pack how to correctly behave. It also helped with our leadership skills. It is one thing to control one dog, but it is totally another to control eight dogs at once.”After those walks, “we were lectured on how to use only our body language to wordlessly communicate to dogs. We also learned how to see and read dog-to-dog conversations. Because so many people misuse the E-collar (which sends an elec-trical stimulus, vibration or tone), we were trained on how to use it correctly if it was needed,” the 21-year-old reveals.

“During the lectures, Cheri and Brian brought different people up on the stage to address their dogs’ problems. When it was my turn, Cheri said that Axl, my German shepherd, was very well-trained and used him as an example a few other times during the week. He has a little bit of separation anxiety, but other than that, he did very well. The things they stressed were being calm assertive and confident.” However, he admits, “The best part was when I stayed and waited for Cesar. I was able to have one-on-one time with him for about an hour .... I learned more in-depth about what I need to do to improve myself and my connection with Axl, how to im-prove my business and so much more.”Rohrig is thankful to his family (parents Julie and John Rohrig III, Milan; siblings, Daniel, Samantha and Cassidy; grandparents Louise Rohrig, Milan, and John and Joan Mokanyk, Greensburg) and wife for their support. “Without their help, I would not have been able to go. I had to get a loan and still needed help from them. They made it all possible.”The Vincennes University graduate, who has a behavioral studies degree, points out, “Being able to attend Cesar’s training course not only taught me more about how to connect and train with dogs, but it also enlightened me about how to improve myself and my well-being outside of dog training. It was a very healthy and enriching experience, not only for me, but also for Axl and, hopefully, for any future dogs and people I will be helping.”

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'Dog Whisperer' enlightens OA Grad

John & Cesar ‘Dog Whisperer’ Millan take a break from training to pose for the camera with their pooches

John trains a group on a 2-mile pack walk

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Twister Values Travel AbroadOn December 27, 2012 a group of nursing and social work students from

Northern Kentucky University embarked on a two week journey to India to study gender discrimination and its effects on women’s health. Being a Mas-ter’s of Social Work student, I was fortunate enough to be able to apply and be selected as one of the fifteen students, and received a scholarship to aid in the expenses. The opportunity for our group to travel to India arose when a member of the Art department at Northern Kentucky was on sabbatical in India and met with Dr. V. Mohini Giri. Dr. Giri is a social activist in India. She was born into the Brahmin caste, the highest caste in India, and was married to the President of India’s son before becoming widowed at a young age. Dr. Giri is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, the founder of the War Widows Association and the Guild of Service. Dr. Giri’s Guild of Service is an um-

brella agency for a variety of non-government organizations (NGO’s) across India that provides services for oppressed women. Dr. Giri has also met with the United Nations on several occasions to speak on women’s equality globally. Most recently Dr. Giri was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey to bring global attention to the cause she has fought for the past four decades.Besides a trip to Niagara Falls when I was in elementary school, I had never been outside of the country, but remem-ber clearly during my World Religions and Social Justice classes at Oldenburg Academy that there was a world much larger than Southeastern Indiana for me to explore someday. Our first day in India we learned of the death of “Damini” a 23 year-old Indian woman who, two-weeks prior, was raped on a bus and left for dead on the street in New Delhi. Her rape and death sent the social activists and young people of India into an uproar; it was an act of fate that our group of all women was in India at this transformative time.Our journey in India began in New Delhi, we met with many NGO’s, attended a meeting with the Lieutenant Gov-ernor to offer recommendations to aid victims of rape and assault, and many services in memory of “Damini” where we met Tara Gandhi, the grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Giri arranged for us to stay at the Guild of Service widows’ home called MaDham in the city of Vrindavan. A cultural tradition that spans the many ethnic backgrounds and religions of India is the rejection of a widow by her husband’s family after his death. In many cases, although it is slowly changing, the woman will be given minimal belongings and transportation to get to Vrindavan, which is known throughout the country as the “city of widows.” Upon arrival in Vrindavan the woman will ask around to find which of the multiple widows’ shelters has availability and take up residence in that ashram. When hearing some of the widows’ stories it became evident that these ladies had experienced a life I never deemed possible. When initially hearing of this dynamic I wondered why the widows did not just return to their parents’ home. The answer to this became evident after I learned more about the gender discrimination culturally placed upon women in India. There, women are seen as

“burdens” and in “need of protection” by a male family member; whether it be her father, brother, uncle, son or hus-band. This burden and power differential is evident in many ways in India: female feticide and infanticide are national epidemics to the point where gender identification during pregnancy is outlawed in many areas; men are fed the most and first resulting in an average of 1,000 calorie daily deficit for women; men are provided with more years of edu-cation and taken to the doctor or given medicine in more instances than females; and even though women do 2/3 of the total work in India they receive 1/3 of the total wages. We ended our stay in Vrindavan by visiting schools, many temples including the birthplace of Krishna, lectures from internationally known philosophers and professors, and witnessing the unpredictability of the many monkeys that line the streets. Our journey then took us to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is known as one of the wonders of the world, and I could not agree more! To witness this immense marble structure, with all its intricacies, leads to many nights of critical thinking as to how it could be built so many centuries ago. The many smiles and warm hugs from all of the women and children I met showed to me that support, encouragement, and understanding know no boundaries. They translate despite having a language barrier, looking different, dressing

Taryn Fledderman ‘05 (front, far left) poses with her group in front of the Taj Mahal

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Advancement Department UpdatesWhat a fun night it was for all our guests to be on campus with us on Saturday, February 23rd for the 24th Annual Reverse Raffle as we celebrated 160 years of the Academy. The gym was transformed for our 320 guests with uni-forms from prior years and current years, banners, trophies, and many, many yearbook pictures from our 160 years. Our guests were entertained by the OA Orchestra and the Academy Singers for a small portion of the evening and had the opportunity to bid on over 250 gifts.The $2,000 grand prize raffle was won by alum Sarah Sauntry ’76. Winners of the jewelry raffle were: Blue Topaz Pendant – parent Heidi Shenk, Hand Polished Jasper Stone on Omega Chain – alum Terri Reynolds Cuellar ’74, Handmade Sterling Silver Natural Turquoise necklace, bracelet & earrings – grandparent Janis Greene, Sterling Silver Pandora bracelet & beads – past parent Anthony Moning, and Freshwater Pearl Necklace & Bracelet – past parent Barbara Luff. The Live auction raffle winner was Marge Greiwe, grandparent. The School Project this year was the School Security System with nearly $5,000 received from our generous guests toward this project. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with this Reverse Raffle – “Traditions…Leading OA into the Future”. Your help, even in the smallest way, made a tremendous impact on this event. With your help we were able to exceed our net goal by over $5,500. Thanks to our wonderful donors, sponsors, equipment suppliers, attendees, ticket pur-chasers and approximately 50 volunteers! Your generous support directly impacts each and every student at Olden-burg Academy. The committee sends a very big thank you to the alumni who donated gifts and/or volunteered, attended the event and purchased raffle tickets. Thank you to a fantastic committee for all the hard work over the past 6 months – to Barb Bohman, Mary Beth Sim-mermeyer Welsh ’75 and Katie Welsh ’06 who co-chaired this event, along with Susan Strange Glaser ’80, Keith Moenter and Leslie Puttmann, live auction chairs, Kathy Kuntz Dietz ‘76, silent auction chair and a great committee of decorators, gift solicitors and gift pick up volunteers, basket makers, class gift coordinators, kitchen coordina-tors, and power point designers: Judy Cutter Behlmer ’88, Janet Borst, Mary Beth Hortemiller Dickman ’78, Kathy Fangman, Jackie Wenning Fitzgerald ’80, Sr. Ruth Mary Forthofer ’51, Mary Pat Kuntz Frey ’79, Ruth Geis, Mary Harrah, Carol Reed and Jane Smith.Please plan to join us next year as we celebrate the 25th Annual Reverse Raffle on Saturday, February 22, 2014!

Debbie Lamping, Advancement Specialist

different, and being across the world. My experience at OA in the Adopt-a-sis program reminded me of my encounters with the widows. Having learned the tools at such a young age to foster relationships that bridged decades of genera-tional gap and Franciscan values of helping others are ones that have shaped me into the person I am today. I remem-ber countless stories from the sisters about their work in Papau New Guinea and on Native American reservations; it taught me that no matter how much or how little you have, helping others is what we are supposed to do. To hear the narratives of women who stepped outside of then societal norms to travel abroad and think outside of themselves and their surroundings created a desire inside of me dedicate my life to helping the oppressed. I do not know that I would be the independent, passionate, and strong-willed young woman I am today had I not had the opportunity to attend Oldenburg Academy. While in India I learned a new value for what poverty is and that whatever situation life deals us, someone out there has it worse. I have a new appreciation for clean and running water, consistent electricity, a hot shower, clean and regulated healthcare, my family, my education, and the opportunities I as an American woman have that many across the world do not. My 300 hours in India have changed my life and opened my eyes to an even bigger world where people live interdependently, and not so focused on themselves, much like the Sisters of St. Francis do.

Taryn Fledderman ‘05

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Mary Louise Ohleyer Lauck ’37 passed away

Louis Smith passed away. He was the brother of Sr. Constance Smith ’40.

Mary Helen Bailey Trimpe ’42 passed away.

Arthur Meier passed away. He was the brother of Ethel Meier Rosenberger ‘46

Sr. Gerald Mary Gaynor ’47 passed away.

Sr. Dolores Wright ’48 passed away.

Pauline Laraway Holland ’51 passed away.

Doris Simmermeyer Doll ’52 passed away. She was the sister of Rose Simmermeyer Weisenbach

’58 and Martha Simmermeyer ‘61

Samuel Schoetmer passed away. He was the grandson of Jo Ann Effing Schoetmer’56, son of Teri Fields Baker ’85 and brother of Katie Schoetmer ’07.

Alyce Sauntry Pascoe ’58 passed away. She was a sister to Sr. Jean Michael Sauntry ’49 and Patti Sauntry Clark ’55.

Jim Mahle, husband of Mary Jo Walke Mahle ’61 and father to Sara Mahle Drabik ’95, passed away.

Jean Mollaun passed away. She was the mother of Judy Mollaun Blacketer ‘62

Raphael Forthofer passed away. He was the husband of Rosina Nobbe Forthofer ’64 and brother of Joanna Forthofer Kinker ’59, Catherine Forthofer Niese ’62, Rosemary Forthofer Thiesing ’66 and Vickie Forthofer Dudley ’69.

Charlene Munchel Whittaker’s ‘65 sister, Elaine Nobbe passed away

Edna Enneking passed away. She was the mother of Helen Ennek-

ing Kramer ’62, Patti Enneking Weberding ’66, Donna Enneking Kraus ’68 and Marilyn Enneking Weberding ’73.

Virginia Albers passed away. She was the mother of Judith Albers Kilgore ’66

Edward Moeller, father to Jane Moeller Boldrick ’67, Jacqueline Moeller Moorman ’81 and step father to Judy Leising ‘69 and Sandy Gutzwiller ’71 passed away.

Leonard J. Mauer passed away. He was the father of Angie Mauer Kelly ’68, Ruth Mauer Cook ’69 and Nita Mauer ‘82

Victor Meyer passed away. He was the father of Grace Meyer Schneider ’69, Yvonne Meyer Schneider ’70, Mary Louis Meyer ’76, Eileen Meyer Duff

’78, Caroline Meyer Sorber ’85, and Susan Meyer Everage ’87.

Mary Higbie passed away. She was the mother of Patricia Hig-bie Keenan ’70

Rita Gillman passed away. She

was the mother of Zita Gillman Hartman ’72 and Karen Gillman

‘82

Thomas Zins passed away. He was the brother of Carol Zins Roell

’72 and Judy Zins Franzen ‘79

Anna Mae Schneider passed away. She was the mother of Carol Ann Schneider ’79.

Joe Fritsch passed away. He was the father of Paula Fritsch ’79.

George Sheehan passed away. He was the father of Maureen Sheehan ’81, Eileen Sheehan ’83, Terry Sheehan Strouse ’84 and Carol Sheehan Pogoni ‘88

James Koors passed away. He was the father of Teresa (Tress) Koors Zielinski ‘84

Ingrid Oesterling’s ‘88 father, John Oesterling passed away

Kevin Moody passed away. He was the father of Nicole Moody Eichhold ’92 and Janel Moody Norris ‘98

Jack Shields passed away. He was the father of Katherine Schields

‘02

In Loving Memory

Otta Lee Orschell Cohen ’48 - Celebrates her 60th wedding anniversary this year! She has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She and her husband Ed enjoy playing bridge and many of the other events offered by their residence, the Meadowood Retirement Center in Bloomington, Indiana.

Bunny Smith Nelson ’63 – Married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Divides her time between Florida and Minnesota (where her grandchildren live). Retired from teaching 6 years ago and loves retirement.

Cindy Meyer Ziemke ’77 – She serves as the Republican Representative in the Indiana State House of Representatives Congratulations to our 1st alum to serve in the Indiana State House.

Jennifer Soldano ’80 – plans to marry Don Kin-ley in July 2013. She has two adopted teenagers and is Director of Titles for the Texas Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles.

Jaimee Brielmaier ’98 – Graduated from

University of Colorado with a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Received a second Bachelors in nursing and works as an ICU nurse. Currently pursuing her dream to be an artist and has been nominat-ed as artist of the month through Hype Denver. A big “thank you” to Ms. Burroughs for all the lessons learned while at the Academy.

Traci Taylor Rowlett ’99 – She and her hus-band Tommy welcomed their fourth child, Tessa Mary, in November 2012. Tessa was welcomed home by her big sisters, Taylor and Tristan, and brother Talan.

Margaret “Peg” Staun ’01 – Promoted to Captain and plans to return from Afganistan in June 2013. She will be moving to Ft. Knox in Louisville in August.

Mary Kate Henrikson ’04 – Currently works as a Wireline Field Engineer for Schlumberger in Roma, Queensland, Australia.

Taryn Fledderman ‘05 – Traveled to India to study gender discrimination and its effects on

women’s health. Read her story and view her photos in the extended version of the Alumni News on the Alumni website, www.oldenbur-gacademy.org/alumni/alumni-newsletters

Amanda Dickman ’08 – Works as a Special Education instructor at Clinton Central Jr./Sr. High School and lives in Zionsville, IN.

Erin Gish ’09 – Interning with Boeing for a 2nd time in Huntsville, AL. Currently at Boeing Re-search & Technology working with UAH (Uni-versity of Alabama Huntsville) and NASA on nuclear fusion propulsion testing and research.

John Rohrig IV ’09 - John recently drove 4000 miles (round trip) to train with Caesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer”. John works in behav-ior modification with the dogs and trains the humans. Read his story and view his photos in the extended version of the Alumni News on the Alumni website, www.oldenburgacademy.org/alumni/alumni-newsletters

Updates

Honorary member of the Alumni Association, Sr. Consolata Kuhn, OSF passed away March 1, 2013

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID Oldenburg, IN Permit No. 4

Alumni AssociationOldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conceptionbuilding our legacy one student at a time!1 Twister Circle, PO Box 200Oldenburg, Indiana 47036

The third time was a charm. On Saturday, April 27, 2013 we had near perfect weather for holly’s rOAd to education 5K Walk/Run. The 5K has become an annual event in honor of Holly Bruns, Class of ’74, to help fund the scholarship in her name at Oldenburg Academy. We are pleased to report that we surpassed last year’s event with regard to monies raised through sponsorships, donations and registration fees. We had more participants, recruited new donors and grossed over $8,500! It was so nice to connect with various alums as we had over 40 alumni that participated, donated or volunteered their time to make this event a success. The Class of ’74 lead by Cathy Breeden and Class of ’82 rallied by Julie Daly Neyer were unknowingly competing for top donor, but were edged out by the Laugle girls (Billie ’49, Jill ’78, and Jenny ’79 and Team Caldwell ’80 & Mauer ’82). The very talented Sarah Schulte ’07 designed the logo and developed the brochure and posters. Thanks to Nancy Struewing ’79 for creating signs for the event. Special thanks to Susan Glaser ’80 for recruiting/organizing the volunteers! Thanks to the OA students who rallied the day of the event to assist us and the OAAA Board members who came to help and cheer the runners on. We hope you’ll join us in making next year’s event even bigger and better. Visit our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollys-rOAd-to-education/164873656895800. We have posted this year’s event on YouTube, as well as previous years’ that may be viewed.

Save the date for next year! April 26, 2014

Holly Bruns 5K Re-Cap